Hello from Cornwall! Or not really, because this is a scheduled post and I am currently probably dragging my family around yet another castle (they should never have let me plan the trip, is all I’m saying). It’s probably apt, then, that my rec list is going to be full of history!
Historical LGBT books are a bit of a minefield, I think we can all agree. You think you’ll have come across a good one, and then all of a sudden, it’s either a) tragic, b) buries its gays (because no gay people ever had a happy ending in the past, did they?), or c) does both. So, of the utmost importance on this list, is that the book isn’t overly tragic all the way through, and it absolutely does not bury its gays.
So, with that in mind, here are ten historical LGBT books for you!
Wanted, A Gentleman
K. J. Charles
Goodreads
Rep: gay mcs, Black mc
Why Should I Read It?
K. J. Charles writes such great slowburn novellas you’ll find yourself just wanting to go back and reread the entire thing the moment you’re done. And then months later that same urge will come over you and you’ll “just read a bit of it” and end up spending hours rereading about half the novella. But it’s so worth it.
Tipping the Velvet
Sarah Waters
Goodreads
Rep: lesbian mcs (ownvoices)
Why Should I Read It?
Anna gave me this one to rec. Between us, it’s the only Sarah Waters book we’ve actually read (yes, we’re useless, we know). So if this one goes badly for you, blame her.
Confessions of the Fox
Jordy Rosenberg
Goodreads
Rep: trans mcs (ownvoices)
Why Should I Read It?
The premise of this book is essentially: Jack Shepherd, but what if he was trans. Which, you have to admit, is a pretty damn good premise. And then it goes, but what if the manuscript is wanted by some shady people and the professor who discovered it has to go on the run? (Or does he? Is it all paranoia? Anyway this book is chaotic. Read it.)
That Could be Enough
Alyssa Cole
Goodreads
Rep: Black wlw mcs (ownvoices)
TWs: period typical racism
Why Should I Read It?
I’ve recced this a thousand times before, you know the drill. (Also please do read it. I love it with my whole heart.)
The Pearl Thief
Elizabeth Wein
Goodreads
Rep: bi mc
TWs: period typical racism
Why Should I Read It?
A bi mc discovering her sexuality while roaming the moors and heaths of Scotland? You know you need it. Also, if you’ve read Code Name Verity, this will give you some very strong emotions. (If you haven’t read that, read it as well as this. Preferably after so you feel really sad.)
The Wicked Cometh
Laura Carlin
Goodreads
Rep: lesbian mcs
Why Should I Read It?
I don’t want to give any spoilers for this one, but just. Trust me. Even at the point where you’re thinking “Charlotte, what the fuck have you recced me?”, just, reread what I wrote in the intro, and trust me.
Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure
Courtney Milan
Goodreads
Rep: wlw mcs (ownvoices)
Why Should I Read It?
I have been waiting my whole life* for a novel/novella dedicated to an f/f relationship from Courtney Milan, and she absolutely delivered with this one. And you get the sweet satisfaction of seeing a dickhead straight man suffer for his crimes. (The choir in pursuit really killed me.)
*This is an exaggeration.
A Light Amongst Shadows
Kelley York & Rowan Altwood
Goodreads
Rep: gay mc, bi li
TWs: discussion of past CSA, drug abuse, torture, murder, statutory rape
Why Should I Read It?
Do not read this at night. But do read it. And marvel at how James ever thought he was being at all subtle about liking William.
The Pursuit Of…
Courtney Milan
Goodreads
Rep: black mc, gay mcs
TWs: period typical racism and homophobia
Why Should I Read It?
This is another one I have recced a lot before, so all I have to say is this: Anna told me earlier that their uncle and aunt were talking about cheese and all they could think of was this book.
Maurice
E. M. Forster
Goodreads
Rep: gay mcs (ownvoices)
Why Should I Read It?
(Yes, I had a discussion with Anna about whether this one should be considered historical if when E. M. Forster wrote it it was technically contemporary. They lost, because I’m writing the post.) Honestly, there is just something so healing about reading classics where gay characters are allowed happy endings, so that’s really why this one’s here.
I hope you found something to read here! What are some of your favourite historical LGBT books?
11 Comments
Skye @ Planet Jinxatron
Just a clarifying question – how is Mrs. Martin’s Incomparable Adventure ownvoices? I already bought it but I just haven’t read it yet, so I don’t know all the details! 🙂
readsrainbow
the author is sapphic and so are the mcs!
Skye @ Planet Jinxatron
I have never seen anything saying Courtney Milan is sapphic, where did this info come from? Because I have recced her books on my blog and would love to include this info! 🙂 But I don’t like to unless I have a definite public source.
readsrainbow
she said it, bc for the rec list we have on here we put a rainbow for lgbt authors, but we didnt for her til she asked
Skye @ Planet Jinxatron
Honesty I wonder if there was a misunderstanding, because in following Courtney Milan on Twitter for so long, I have never seen her disclose this, including in promotion of this book, and never seen anyone else mention it? However I could have missed something. The internet is really big! 🙂
MORE IMPORTANTLY wow there are some amazing books in this post! And I wanted to thank y’all in general for destroying my TBR in such a glorious way. Ever since I found this blog, my list of things to read is exploding!
readsrainbow
https://twitter.com/courtneymilan/status/776085720007979008?s=19 she has here but it was 2 and a half years back
no problem!! our whole aim is to introduce people to all the lgbt books we can find, particularly ones that get less hype
Skye @ Planet Jinxatron
You do a great job with that! Every time you post a list, it’s not just the same 5 books that everybody I follow on Twitter is already talking about. 🙂
anovelidea
Fantastic list! Very excited to check some of these out 🙂
readsrainbow
thank you! i hope you enjoy them
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